Curriculum & Instruction

Master's Degree Program

 The curriculum for this program is changing. New information will be provided soon.

Opportunities for graduate studies

The Department of Teacher Education and Administration offers graduate programs to develop highly competent teachers, school administrators and other professionals who plan to provide educational leadership in public and private schools and other organizations. Effective instruction, curriculum development and evaluation are emphasized in all programs at the University of North Texas. You will use current theory and research to make decisions about effective practice. The department also strives to improve practice through generation of new knowledge and through service to educational institutions, governmental agencies and practitioners at all levels.

Master's program in curriculum and instruction

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction is designed to enhance the knowledge and expertise of practicing teachers, combining theoretical perspectives and research-based practice with multiple opportunities for field-based projects and action research. Its goal is to support teachers as they assume leadership roles at the campus and district levels.

The program includes course work directly related to curriculum and instruction in one or more academic resource areas, such as elementary teaching, secondary teaching, content area teaching, reading education, early childhood studies, school administration, gifted and talented education, technology, diversity, English as a second language, bilingual education, counseling, and special education. The curriculum and instruction courses will support the development of a program and professional portfolio as well as the completion of a comprehensive, field-based action research inquiry project.

Admission requirements

You must meet the minimum requirements of the Toulouse Graduate School and requirements of the academic department when you apply to the master's program in curriculum and instruction. For graduate school requirements, access the graduate catalog at catalog.unt.edu or contact the graduate school.

Requirements of the department include:

• minimum 2.8 overall GPA or 3.0 for the last 60 hours earned at the bachelor's level
• documentation of verbal and writing proficiencies using GRE verbal and analytical writing scores submitted to the graduate school (GRE exam must be taken during the first semester of graduate enrollment.)
• a valid Texas teacher certification or equivalent.
• a thoughtful, well-organized 2 to 3 page essay on your personal philosophy of teaching, with concrete examples of that philosophy applied to your own teaching practices
• letter of intent to pursue master's studies in curriculum and instruction
• current professional resume

Degree Requirements

The required 18 credit hour core includes courses EDCI 5710, 5360; 5320, 5130; EDSP 5730; and EDCI 5720. Core courses should be taken in this sequence. The additional 18 credit hours are to be selected by the candidate (from the list that follows) with the approval of the departmental advisor and program coordinator. Four of these courses should be selected from one academic resource area; the other two courses may be from other resource areas, institutes, etc. The official degree plan is written in the first core course, EDCI 5710. The program required portfolio and action research inquiry project are presented in EDCI 5720 but should be continually developed throughout the program.

Indicated in the first column for each set of courses is information regarding the extent of on-line instruction or support, using the following codes:

1. WebCT Supported: documents are housed on the course WebCT site; communication occurs via the WebCT site, in addition to regular email or phone; the assignment link may be utilized; the grade book may be utilized; the discussion board may be utilized for various purposes. Some (no more than 40%) class meetings may be via WebCT.
2. Blended Instruction: typically, this indicates that the course is delivered both electronically (WebCT) and face to face. It is permissible for up to 50% of the course to be delivered electronically.
3. Fully On-line: typically, no face-to-face meetings are required, although some instructors do require an initial and an ending face-to-face meeting. Typically, all components of WebCT are utilized (i.e., grade book, assignment, course content, discussion board, etc.).

Note in the second column when courses are scheduled to be offered. Enrollment is always a determinant in whether a class makes.

Course Number	Course Title	Course Description
EDCI 5710 WebCT Supported or Blended	Curriculum & Instruction Inquiry I Fall, Spring	An introduction to critical reflection and inquiry through action research. Development of basic skills as consumers of educational research and as teacher researchers. Should be taken upon first residence registration in the C&I Master of Education degree program. Admission procedures are completed and degree plan developed. Includes a small-scale action research inquiry project that may lead to the program-required inquiry report. Includes initial development of the program portfolio. Pre-requisite for all other core courses.
EDCI 5360 WebCT Supported or Blended	Effective Teaching and Learning Spring, Summer I	Theoretical grounding and practical experience to further enhance instructional knowledge and expertise of certified teachers. Course objectives are based on national and state standards for teacher development beyond initial certification. The course will enable teachers to enhance student learning in the classroom and will prepare teachers for campus leadership roles like that of mentor teacher and staff development. Includes continued development of the program portfolio. Includes the identification of a problem and a comprehensive review of literature for the action research inquiry project. Pre-requisite: EDCI 5710
EDCI 5320 WebCT Supported or Blended	Curriculum Development Fall, Summer I	Identification and understanding of the underlying philosophical principles, societal expectations and practical demands which must be reflected in the development of curricular offerings, incorporating appropriate instructional and evaluative methodology for a diverse student clientele. Includes continued development of the program portfolio. Includes development of the research proposal for the action research inquiry project. Pre-requisite: EDCI 5710
EDCI 5130 WebCT Supported or Blended	Philosophy and Principles of Multicultural Education Spring	Recognition and examination of the philosophy and principles germane to multicultural education. Emphasis is on sensitivity to racial and cultural differences and their influences on an effective educational program. Students also examine the great diversity of lifestyles that our multicultural heritage reflects. Includes continued development of the program portfolio and action research inquiry project. Pre-requisite: EDCI 5710
EDSP 5730 On-line	Educational Aspects of Students w/Mild to Moderate Disabilities Fall & Summer	Examination of historical, theoretical and learning of students with mild to moderate disabilities, including learning disabilities, mental retardation and emotional/behavioral disorders. A life span view of intervention models, as well as curricular adaptations across content areas is explored. Pre-requisite: EDCI 5710
EDCI 5720 WebCT Supported or Blended	Curriculum & Instruction Inquiry II	Advanced critical reflection and inquiry through action research and advocacy. Refinement of skills as consumers of educational research, teacher researcher, and advocate for and against educational change. Consideration of contemporary issues in education. Presentation of program portfolio is scheduled during enrollment in this course, including complete action research report, developed as a manuscript to be submitted for professional journal publication consideration. To be taken during the last resident registration in the C&I M.Ed. program. Prerequisites: 5710, 5360, 5320, 5130, EDSP 5730.

Candidates select four courses from one of the following Academic Resource Areas, plus two additional courses, to total 18 credit hours.

Options for the additional two courses include two from any academic resource area, or others such as EDCI 5800-5810 Studies in Education, Writing Institute, Intel Teach to the Future (CECS 5500), Reading Recovery, Art Institute.

Indicated in the first column for each set of courses is information regarding the extent of on-line instruction or support. Indicated in the second column is when a course is scheduled to be delivered.

Academic Resource Area

Courses in Area

Course Titles

Elementary Teaching WebCT Supported or Blended	EDEE 5020 Fall	Advanced Studies in Elementary School Mathematics
	EDEE 5040 Sum even years	Advanced Studies in Elementary School Social Studies
	EDEE 5050 Spring	Advanced Studies in Elementary School Science
	EDEE 5060 Sum I	Advanced Studies in Elementary School Reading/Language Arts
	EDCI 5960 Sum odd years	Arts in Teaching

Secondary Teaching All fully On-line	EDSE 5001	Public Education and the Teaching Profession
	EDSE 5002	Everyone Can Learn: Applying Theory to Teaching Practice
	EDSE 5003	Successful Teaching in the Secondary School
	EDSE 5004	Literacy for All
	EDSE 5005	Developing Multicultural Curriculum
	EDSE 5400	Curriculum Development in the Middle School
	EDSE 5470	Maintaining Classroom Discipline

Grades 4-8 or 8-12 Content Courses in the Area of the Teaching Assignment (These courses are delivered by the College of Arts and Sciences. We do not know the extent of online instruction.

12-18 hours

Four-six courses in one or two content areas of the teaching assignment recognized by the Texas Education Agency The four courses in the academic resource area must be in one content area.

Reading Education * Courses lead to Master Reading Teacher. WebCT Supported or Blended	*EDRE	Advanced Reading Theory/Practice (prerequisite for all other reading courses)
	5370 Su I	Materials and Recent Developments in Reading
	EDRE 5170 Spring	Advanced Assessment and Evaluation in Reading
	*EDRE 5180 Sp	Reading Assessment and Instruction for Special Populations
	EDRE 5190 Sum I	Development and Supervision of Reading Programs
	*EDRE 5200 Fall	Literacy for All Fully online
	EDSE 5004 or *EDEC 5653	Making the Literacy Connection: Language to Reading Reading Workshop Approaches
	EDRE 5510 Sum I	Writing Workshop Approaches
	EDRE 5520 Su I-II	Multicultural Literature in Our Diverse Society
	EDRE 5550 Fall	Literacy Learning for English
	EDRE 5070 Sum I	Language Learners

Early Childhood Studies WebCT Support or Blended	EDEC 5133	Advanced Studies in Child Development
	EDEC 5513	Advanced Studies in Early Childhood Studies
	EDEC 5613	Advanced Early Childhood Studies Curriculum
	EDEC 5623	Environments and Programs for Young Children
	EDEC 5633	Assessment in Early Childhood Studies

School Administration *Courses required for principal and assistant principal temporary certificate. All WebCT Supported or Blended	*EDAD 5300	Introduction to Educational Leadership (includes ILD)
	*EDAD 5330	Instructional Leadership
	*EDAD 5390	Campus-Level School Law
	*EDAD 5400	Management of School Resources
	EDAD 5630	Organizational Change and School Improvement
	EDAD 5650	Professional Development and Supervision (Includes PDAS)
	EDAD 5680	Administration of the K-12 Curriculum

Gifted/Talented Education All fully Online	EDSP 5105	Nature and Needs of Gifted and Talented
	EDSP 5110	Social and Emotional Components of Giftedness
	EDSP 5120	Program Planning for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students
	EDSP 5130	Methods and Curriculum for Teaching Gifted and Talented Students

Technology All Fully Online *Courses lead to Technology Application Cert. 8-12 Certificate (Note: 3 certificate options)	*CECS 5020	Computers in Education
	*CECS 5030	Introduction to the Internet
	*CECS 5110	Multimedia in Technology Applications
	*CECS 5111	Introduction to Video Technology
	CECS 5800	Studies in Education/Practicum (Add this course for Technology Application Certificate for Grades EC-12)
	CECS 5500	Computer Applications for Curriculum and Instruction (Add 5500 rather than 5800 for Texas Master Technology Teacher Certificate.)

Diversity	COUN 5795	Race and Ethnicity in Education
	EDEE 5140 Spring	The Linguistically Diverse Learner
	EDCI 5130 Spring	Philosophy and Principles of Multicultural Education (WebCT Supported)
	HLTH 5600 Fall	Health Promotion in a Multi-Cultural Context
	EDSP 5760 Spring	Multicultural Theory and Best Practices in Special Education
	EDRE 5550 Fall	Literacy Instruction in Our Culturally Diverse Society
	EDCI 5100 Fall	Action Research in Multicultural Education (Same as EPSY 5100)

English as a Second Language * Pre-requisite courses ***If taken previously, may substitute for 5590 with departmental approval (See indication at the end of each course regarding degree of online instruction.)	LING 5040*	General Linguistics
	LING 5060*	Second Language Acquisition
	LING 5090	Pedagogical English Grammar
	EDBE 5560	Fundamentals of Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education in PK-12 Settings (Fully online each summer 1st 5-week term and each fall)
	EDBE 5570	Assessing Language and Content Learning in PK-12 Bilingual and ESL Classrooms (Fully online each spring)
	EDBE 5590	Pedagogy of English as a Second Language for EC-12 Classrooms (Fully online each summer 1st 5-week term and each fall)
	Or LING 5080***	Teaching English as a Second Language
	EDRE 5070	Literacy Development for English Learners

Bilingual Education *Pre-requisite courses ***If taken previously, may substitute for 5590 with departmental approval (See indication at the end of each course regarding degree of online instruction.)	LING 5040*	General Linguistics
	LING 5060*	Second Language Acquisition
	EDBE 5560	Fundamentals of Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education in PK-12 Settings (Fully online each summer 1st 5-week term and each fall)
	EDBE 5570	Assessing Language and Content Learning in PK-12 Bilingual and ESL Classrooms (Fully online each spring)
	EDBE 5580	Curriculum for PK-8 Bilingual Education: Methods and Materials (Spanish proficiency req.)
	EDBE 5590	Pedagogy of English as a Second Language for EC-12 Classrooms (Fully online each summer 1st 5-week term and each fall)
	Or LING 5080***	Teaching English as a Second Language
	EDRE 5070	Literacy Development for English Learners

Counseling Take the first three then one of the other two courses.	COUN 5710	Counseling Theories
	COUN 5680	Basic Counseling Skills
	COUN 5470, plus	Career Development and Information
	COUN 5770	Elementary School Counseling
	or COUN 5600	Counseling Secondary School

Special Education Degree of online instruction depends on courses selected.	EDSP	Contact an advisor in the special education program for developing a set of four courses that would comprise an academic resource area in studies of special education, other than those for above-listed gifted education.
	EDSP
	EDSP
	EDSP

Elective Option

EDCI 5620 Fall

Anthropology of Education

Financial assistance available

A limited number of teaching fellowships and assistantships are available. These opportunities include working with professors on research grants and projects or serving as a teaching assistant, working with undergraduate students in advising and degree plans, or teaching undergraduate classes and supervising student teaching. You may apply for these positions by submitting a letter of application and a current resume to the department chair. The letter should address your particular strengths and interests.